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joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam
The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.
Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.
Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!
Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.
Click here to report a problem with this page.
Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "dormant account" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: JOHN WHITE <whitej918@yahoo.pt>
Date: Thu, 4 Dec 2014 12:23:49 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: I AWAIT YOUR RESPONSE
 Dear Friend,
It is totally against the ethics and civil service code of conduct in accordance with oath of secrecy for me to do this but I wish to do this on personal capacity believing you will not betray my effort but will surely come back to reward me for my sincerity and for my effort to secure a successful transaction.
I have a eight (8) years dormant account which has been discovered that the owner has no next of kin and I contact you for a deal to use your good personality to secure this fund for our mutual benefit.
I will oblige you full details upon receipt of your response.
Thanks,
Mr. Donatus MarkSkye Bank Plc
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Anti-fraud resources:
